India Vs Bharat : One Nation Two Names

India’s official name is Bharat and this is accorded equal primacy as the word India in the Constitution. In fact the First Clause of the Constitution begins with the words:India, that is Bharat,….

In Sanskrit, ‘Bha’ means Light and Knowledge while ‘rata’ means “Devoted”. Bharat means “devoted to light/knowledge”. The name “Bharat” is symbolic in nature revealing the quest of knowledge and the spiritual/scientific prosperity of this country.

Through the ages our ancestors referred this land as Bharat. Though the name ‘Bharat’ should be used, we seldom use it today! Why not refer India as In + Dia =India ==> The Land of Inner Light analogous to its original name Bha + rata =Bharat ==> meaning devoted to light and knowledge ?

If you are using India, refer or think of it as In + Dia (The Land of Inner Diya)retaining the glory of its name in the modern name ‘India’ rather than just ‘India’ as ascribed by others.

How many countries have two names, one constitutionally documented and another probably an English translation for people who cannot pronounce it?

People speaking English or any other European language often have a problem pronouncing eastern names. So in the past they would change names according to their convenience, and we blindly accept those.

Look at us: we operate with two names, the original name Bharat, and the given name, India. The invaders of Bharat who came up to the river Sindhu somehow managed to pronounce Sindhu as Hindu, and then Indus. And finally India is stuck on us for centuries now.

Historians should give a satisfactory explanation for the evolution of this name ‘India’, or trace its origin. I could not find anywhere in the Vedas, Puranas, Itihaasa or even Amarakosa the word or name ‘India.’

The Persians used to call Sindhu ‘Hindu’ as they pronounce S as H. The Greeks called Hindu as Indus and hence India. Getting back to your point, personally